What do you put in an Easter Basket for a 26 year old?

Booze. You put booze in it.

This is Ben and I's first 'holiday' with just the two of us. Since my kitchen is the size of a postage stamp, we decided not to do a big Easter dinner, but I did make him a basket.

I got an awesome basket from Home Goods, and got the best Easter candy ever invented--Starburst jellybeans. Seriously. Why was there ever any other type of jellybean?

I also got him this awesome looking Kraken spiced rum and Coke.

[Side Note: I've never been a regular anywhere. I've always wanted to be a regular somewhere. Yesterday, I realized I was a regular at the Liquor Store. Mind you, I only go to the Liquor Store twice a year, but this guy somehow remembers me each time and tells me that Osama Bin Laden was born on my birthday. Figures.]

Here's the basket:

I can't wait to make a drink out of this. 

Of course, when I open it, I have to say,
"RELEASE THE KRAKEN!"

Awesome, right? 

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

What does it take?

What does it take for you to be in your own high-producing-super-creating-star-shooting mode?

I've been thinking about this a lot the past couple days Especially when I noticed there was a very big difference in my surroundings when I loved what I was doing, and when I was just doing it because I had to.

Most of what was around me had nothing to do with the project or task I had ahead of me. Here's what I've deduced about my 'creative process.'

I need really loud music--not necessarily good music. The past week I have been punching off projects like nobody's business. I've also been listening to a particular playlist that consists of Incubus (circa 2001), A.F.I. (what?), CCR, Matchbox Twenty and Brittany Spears (circa 2001.) Today, I added in a little Fleetwood Mac and Wiz Khalifa. Lets hope it doesn't thwart the process.

That's a Trenta next to a Tall. Big Gulps, eh?

I am super highly caffeinated. I'm not talking a morning cup-o-joe caffeinated. I'm talking heart-palpitation-inducing Trenta Iced Americano + SF Cinnamon Dolce + Soy caffeinated. I thank my lucky stars every day the husband works for Starbucks. And Starbucks, I thank my lucky stars every day for you.

That is one stressed out kitty. 

I have a project that needs to be finished yesterday.   I do my best work under pressure. Under a lot of pressure. Typically I like to spend days and days just thinking about a project and not putting a single thing on paper. Then, when the pressure is super duper tight, I furiously create for hours on end until it is finished. It's my way. But, I hate it when people tell me that they need a project in 24 hours--I hate that kind of pressure. I really value those days that I spend thinking about the project--it's really important to 'the process.'

Harry Potter's broom closet room would be perfect for me.   

I must be in solitude. In my perfect world, I would have an office with a sound proof door and no windows when I'm in 'creation' mode. According to Meyers-Briggs I'm an ENFP--meaning I'm an extreme extrovert. And typically, I love having people around--and other people give me a lot of energy. But, when I'm in a high-producing mood, I need solitude. I need loud music. I need no interruptions. When I was at PLU, the Graphic Design studio was literally a musty closet full of old computers [nice for a school that cost $30k/year, right?] It was a perfect empty cave 1:30 am [hopefully.] That's probably where I got this need for solitude. There was no noise other than the humming of the Macs, my extremely loud music, and keyboard+mouse clicks. It was awesome.


What's your process for getting in the zone? How long did it take you to realize how to make things fall into place for yourself? Does it work all the time?

This isn't just for 'creating' stuff, it can go for studying, writing, working out, or anything. How do you do it?

I'm super interested in hearing your input--please comment below if you have any opinions! I think it's amazing how we can psychologically control our output capacity.

So anyway, on to today's project.

Today, our church finally got a temporary permit for occupancy for the new west-wing of the church! This moment is literally about 15 years, and all of my dad's gray hair in the making. [ok, full disclosure, my dad said his gray hair is from having three girls. I don't agree--we are angels.] I'm so proud of our church for finishing the project, I'm proud of my dad for all the hard work he put into helping the project get off its feet, and I'm so thankful of all the millions of volunteers that helped to make this happen.

So, Easter Sunday will be our first worship service in the new space. How incredible is that?

We are planning a weekend housewarming celebration to dedicate and bless the new wing of the church, and today I worked on the invitation for our dedication celebration. Here's the first draft:

Side one. Words are from the hymn, All are Welcome.

Side dos. 

I feel like the past week has been full of designing invitations. Maybe because it has?

Happy Friday, see ya tomorrow!

Embarrassed.

Some people get embarrassed really easily.

Not me.

Pretty much anything doesn't embarrass me. It takes a lot.

Today, I am totally embarrassed.

I don't really want to give many details, but I'll just say that I wasted the time of two people that I really love. And that was embarrassing.

So, inspiration isn't coming easily tonight. I'm working on several projects, so here's a sneak peak at one I'm working on:

To a better tomorrow...

Guess what I do for adventure? I hang-glide on a Dorito.

Day four of sounding like this:



Today, I diagnosed myself with a sinus infection + bronchitis. According to WebMD I also may have several forms of rare and untreatable diseases and cancers.

I swear, WebMD is an evil put out by greedy doctors that are drying to drum up business by scaring us into thinking we have Ebola every time our ears feel hot.

Actually, most doctors probably think WebMD is just as annoying as we do.

Today, I will show you something! It's a piece of an invitation suite I'm putting together for a good friend, it's part of the snail series I've been teasing on and off the last couple weeks:

Aren't toad stools just the cutest things?
Actually - no - owls are the cutest things.
Well, except for puppies. Puppies are the cutest. 

I'm excited to show you the final product. This has been a really fun project, especially because it's stinkin' cute. Real cute.

I want to throw a quick THANK YOU to everyone who has been checking back on the blog on a daily basis--especially in these past couple weeks that I haven't had much to show. Next week, I will be celebrating my 100th day of this project [gulp.] Please check back for some awesome give-aways and treats!

I know, this is probs getting a little annoying.

I need to think of a better way to tell you that I can't show you what I was working on tonight.

Well, right now, my voice sounds a lot like this:




So, instead, imagine Marcel the Shell telling you that she has nothing to show you.

Here's a taste of the secret project:

10 points to anyone who can guess what both words say!

For something a little more exciting, how about a couple new pins for our new place! [I'm obsessed.]

Can you say, epic craft room? EPIC CRAFT ROOM!


Source: browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I think I should win some 'coolest wife ever' award for committing to a keg tap in the kitchen.


Source: thekitchn.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Ben and I both love coffee, and I would love to incorporate


coffee bean silos in the kitchen for flour, sugar, cereal, etc. 

Source: robustroasters.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Well, I'm off to bed. I will wake up tomorrow and feel AWESOME.

So sick, again.

It was inevitable, but I've caught the same bug that has been plaguing Ben.

It's this horrible cough coupled with a horrible sore throat. Can you think of a worse one-two-punch when it comes to being sick?

We decided over the weekend to purchase our first home (yay!) so we are getting our paperwork together and hopefully doing inspections within the next week!

I've been dreaming about having a blank slate to decorate for YEARS, so I've spent the last couple weeks compiling ideas.

I've catalogued them into my newest Pinterest board, 'So we're moving into a new house...'

Here's a couple of my favorite finds, plus check out the entire growing board here.

I totally want to paint some black walls in the bathroom.

Just because you're not supposed to.

Source: thedecorologist.com via Lauren on Pinterest

I'm really liking flocked [velvet] wall paper...

maybe for an accent wall in the living room?


Source: flockedwallpaper.com via Lauren on Pinterest 

We likely won't be replacing the cabinets right away,

so I love the idea of refinishing them in white, then adding  wood countertop.


Source: marthastewart.com via Lauren on Pinterest

So, what are your decorating dreams?

A new month!

I tried to think of an epic April Fools day joke to play on ya'll...


But, I redesigned the blog instead.

Enjoy!